Checkout Station

ABSTRACT

A checkout station includes a display that is rotatable between a first position and a second position and a barcode scanner that is directed in a first direction in the first position and in a second direction in the second position.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/331,541, filed Dec. 20, 2011, entitled CHECKOUT STATION (Docket8842-133523-US (077US01)), which is incorporated in its entirety hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and methodfor retail checkout stations. In particular, the present invention isdirected to a checkout counter that can be conveniently convertedbetween a cashier mode and a self-checkout mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cashier-assisted checkout station.

FIG. 2 illustrates a self-checkout station.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a checkout station according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a checkout station according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process to use the checkout station according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system for a checkout station according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In retail establishments, sales to customers normally take place atcheckout stations located on the premise. Currently, sales in stores mayoccur in the form of cashier-assisted checkouts or self-checkouts thatmay be carried out in cashier stations or self-checkout stations,respectively. In cashier-assisted checkouts, a customer may placemerchandise on a conveyor belt of the POS station. A cashier whostations near a receiving end of the conveyor belt may scan each itemusing a barcode scanner to check out the merchandise. After the cashierhas checked out the merchandise for the customer, the customer mayproceed along the checkout station side that is opposite to the cashierside to a pay station to complete the sale transaction. In contrast, inself-checkouts, the customer may scan each item at a checkout station byhimself. After all merchandise has been recorded, the customer mayproceed to pay for the purchase at the pay station.

Certain aspects of cashier-assisted checkouts are distinguishable fromthose of self-checkouts. First, current art constructs checkout stationsfor cashier-assisted checkouts differently from checkout stations forself-checkouts. FIG. 1 illustrates a cashier-assisted checkout station10 that may include a conveyor belt 12, a pay station 14, and a baggingstation 16. The pay station may further include a barcode scanner suchas an optic scanner 18, a display screen 20, a credit/debit cardreader/signature pad 22, and a retractable/removable cashier drawer 24in which the cashier may store received cash, checks, and coupons. Thecashier-assisted checkout station 10 may be configured with an optionalrecess 26 where the cashier may stand without interfering with trafficin the lane 28 behind the cashier. Since the cashier is responsible forscanning the merchandise, current art orients the optic scanner 18 andthe display screen 20 of the cashier-assisted checkout stations 10fixedly towards the cashier. For example, the optic scanner 18 may be abi-optic scanner that may include a horizontal scanner 28 and a verticalscanner 30 which together form a scanning space facing the cashier.Further, the displayer screen 20 may be a touch screen also facing thecashier.

In contrast, FIG. 2 illustrates a self-checkout station 32 that maysimilarly include a conveyor belt 34, a pay station 36, and a baggingstation 38. The pay station 32 of the self-checkout station may includea barcode scanner such as an optic scanner 40, a display screen 42, anda credit/debit card reader/signature pad 44. However, unlike thecashier-assisted checkout station 10, the self-checkout station 32 doesnot include a retractable/removable cashier drawer or a recess where thecasher stands. Further, since only customers are primarily responsiblefor scanning the merchandise at self-checkout stations, the opticscanner 40 and display screen 42 are oriented fixedly toward onedirection, i.e., the customer side of the self-checkout station 32.Finally, the self-checkout station 32 may include a signage 46 thatindicates a particular checkout station is designated as“SELF-CHECKOUT.” In practice, the signature may be an electronic signthat can be turned on and off to indicate whether the self-checkoutstation is in operation.

In addition to the differences in the physical construction ofcashier-assisted checkout stations and self-checkout stations, thecashier-assisted checkout stations and self-checkout stations arecommonly configured to run different point-of-sale (POS) applicationsdesigned specifically for cashier or customer to use. The POS system forcashiers may be designed for efficiency or expedited transactionsbecause it may be assumed that cashiers are usually experienced inoperating the POS system. In contrast, the POS system for self-checkoutcustomers may be designed for intuitive use with plenty of prompts andhelpful hints because it may be assumed that customers usually have lessexperience in operating the POS system. Further, the POS system forcashier may empower the cashier with certain authorities such as keyingin the price of an item or overwriting a barcode scan. In contrast, thePOS system for self-checkouts may be rigid and restrictive so that theself-checkout customer may not conduct unauthorized transactions. Theself-checkout customer is required to contact a customer servicerepresentative for any specially handled transactions.

Thus, currently, the cashier-assisted checkout stations are designed andmanufactured differently from self-checkout stations. Cashier-assistedcheckout stations have different specifications and include differentcomponents than self-checkout stations. The different physicalconstructions between cashier-assisted checkout stations andself-checkout stations increase the ownership cost. First, stores mayreceive less volume discount for purchasing different models of checkoutstations. Second, it may cost more to maintain different types ofcheckout stations than a single type of checkout station. In addition tocost issue, cashier-assisted stations and self-checkout stations usuallyoccupy valuable spaces in retail stores. While self-checkout stationsmay usually open all the time, the cashier-assisted checkout stationsmay be idle from time to time depending on the availability of cashiers.The idle checkout stations occupy valuable retail spaces, but do nothelp reduce congestions at checkout lines.

Thus, there is a need for checkout stations that may be easily convertedbetween a cashier-assisted checkout mode and a self-checkout mode sothat the store may save costs for owning a single type of checkoutstation and run more efficiently for converting idle checkout stationsinto self-checkout mode.

Embodiments of the present invention may include a checkout station thatmay be converted between a cashier-assisted checkout mode and aself-checkout mode by re-orienting the facing direction of a displayscreen and a barcode scanner. Thus, the checkout station may act as acashier-assisted checkout station in a first orientation of the displayscreen and/or the barcode scanner, and act as a self-checkout station ina second orientation of the display screen and/or the barcode scanner.

Embodiments of the present invention may include a checkout station thatmay include a turntable that is rotatable between a first position and asecond position and a barcode scanner that is attached to the turntableand is directed in a first direction in the first position and in asecond direction in the second position.

Embodiments of the present invention may includes a checkout system thatmay include a turntable that is rotatable between a first position and asecond position, and a processor that is programmed to execute apoint-of-sale (POS) application in a cashier-assisted checkout mode whenthe turntable is in the first position and to execute the POSapplication in a self-checkout mode when the turntable is in the secondposition.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a checkout station according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A reflects the firstcashier-assisted checkout mode of the checkout station, and FIG. 3Breflects the second self-checkout mode of the checkout station. Forclarity, the following FIGS. 3A and 3B focus on the pay station of acheckout station and omit the conveyor belt and bagging station.Referring to FIG. 3A, a checkout station may include a base platform 48that may include a hollow 50 within a top surface of the base platform48. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow 50 may be circular.

Within the hollow 50, the checkout station may include a turntable 52that may include a rotatable solid surface on which a display screen 56may be fixedly attached to the solid surface of the turntable 52. In oneembodiment, the turntable 52 may be made from the same material as thetop surface of the base platform 48. In an alternative embodiment, theturntable 52 may be made from a material that is different from the topsurface of the base platform 48. In a preferred embodiment, the topsurface of the turntable 52 may be circular and fit into the hollows 50.Further, the solid surface of the turntable 52 may include an opening 54that may be covered by a transparent material such as glass. In oneembodiment, a barcode scanner 58 such as a single-optic scanner may beattached to the turntable underneath the opening 54 (and the transparentmaterial). The display screen 56 and the barcode scanner 58 through theopening 54 may be attached to the turntable 52 in such orientation thata cashier who stations at a first side of the base platform 48 mayeasily scan merchandise and operate on the display screen 56. In anotherembodiment, a bi-optic scanner may be attached to the turntable 52 witha first scanner underneath the top surface of the turntable 52 and asecond scanner situated vertically above the top surface. In yet anotherembodiment, imagers may be used in places of optic scanners.

Since the display screen 56 and the barcode scanner 58 are fixedlyattached to the turntable 52, the orientation of the display screen 56and the barcode scanner 58 may change along with turns of the turntable52. In one exemplary embodiment, the turntable 52 may be rotatedback-and-forth between a first position that is oriented toward a firstdirection and a second position that is oriented toward a seconddirection. In one preferred embodiment, the first direction may bedirected toward a first side at which the cashier stands, and the seconddirection may be directed toward a second side at which the customerstands. Since the cashier and the customer may be located at oppositesides of the base platform 48, the first and second positions of theturntable 52 may be approximately 180 degrees apart. FIG. 3A illustratesthe turntable 52 at the first position according to which the checkoutstation operates in the cashier-assisted mode, while FIG. 3B illustratesthe turntable 52 at the second position according to which the checkoutstation operates in the self-checkout mode. Because of the rotation ofthe turntable 52, the checkout station may be conveniently convertedbetween the cashier-assisted and self-checkout modes.

In one embodiment, the base platform 48 may include latches 62 forlocking the turntable 52 to the first or the second position. A release60 that is accessible to an operator may control, through control cables(not shown) to the latches 62, the lock and release of the latches 62 sothat turntable 52 may be locked to the first or the second position, orreleased for turning between the first and second positions. The release60 may be placed at a position that is easily accessible by an operator.For example, the release may be located on a side surface of the baseplatform as shown in FIG. 3A. Within the base platform 48, the turntable52 may be supported by a support (not shown). For example, in oneembodiment, the support may be a cylindrical column that includesbearings that allow the turntable 52 to rotate. Further, the displayscreen 56 and the barcode scanner 54 may also be wired through wiresunderneath the top surface of and within the base platform 48. Thesewires are placed in such way that when the turntable 52 rotates back andforth, they do not tangle.

Additionally, the checkout station may include other components. FIGS.4A and 4B illustrate a checkout station according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A reflects the firstcashier-assisted checkout mode of the checkout station and FIG. 4Breflects the second self-checkout mode of the checkout station. Inaddition to the components as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, thecheckout station may further include an optional cashier drawer 64located at the first cashier side of the checkout station. Additionally,the checkout station may include a credit/debit card reader 66 that issituated on and can be rotated with the turntable 52. In one exemplaryembodiment, the credit/debit card reader 66 may be fixedly anddetachably attached to the display screen 56 so that the credit/debitcard reader 66 rotates with the display screen 56 and barcode scanner54. Additionally, the checkout station may also include an optionalhandheld barcode scanner 68 which may be placed either on the turntable52, or off the turntable 52. In one embodiment, the handheld barcodescanner 68 may be fixedly and detachably attached to the display screen56 so that the handheld barcode scanner 68 may be rotated along with thedisplay screen 56. In an alternative embodiment, the handheld barcodescanner 68 may be placed on the top surface of the base platform (offthe turntable 52) so that the handheld barcode scanner 68 does notrotate with the turntable 52. Additionally, the checkout station mayinclude an electronic signage 70 that may indicate whether the checkoutstation is operating under the cashier-assisted mode or self-checkoutmode.

The checkout station may further include a trigger for toggling betweenthe first and second modes. In one embodiment, the checkout station mayinclude a physical switch 72 that may switch the checkout station to thecashier-assisted mode or the self-checkout mode. In another embodiment,the trigger (not shown) may be automatically set by the latches 62 sothat when the turntable 52 is locked in a first position, the triggermay cause the checkout station to run in the cashier-assisted mode, andwhen the turntable 52 is locked in a second position, the trigger maycause the checkout station to run in the self-checkout mode.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process to use the checkout station according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. At 74, the turntable ofthe convertible checkout station may be unlocked by an operator. At 76,the turntable may be rotated from a first position to a second positionso that the orientation of the barcode scanner and display screen may bechanged from a first direction to a second direction. For example, theturntable may be rotated from a first mode for cashier use to a secondmode for self-checkout, or vice versa. At 78, a trigger may be engaged.A processor may be configured to determine whether the trigger indicatesthe start of a self-checkout mode or a cashier-assisted mode ofoperation. If the operation is for the self-checkout mode, at 80, theprocessor may be configured to load a self-checkout POS application frommemory. At 84, the processor may be configured to execute theself-checkout POS application. The execution of the self-checkout POSapplication may include a graphic user interface (GUI) designed for acustomer on a display screen. At 82, the processor may also send out asignal to turn on an electronic signage to indicate that the checkoutstation is for self-checkout. Alternatively, if the operation is forcashier-assisted checkout, at 86, the processor may be configured toload a cashier-assisted POS application from memory. At 88, theprocessor may be configured to execute the cashier-assisted POSapplication. The execution of the cashier-assisted POS application mayinclude a graphic user interface (GUI) designed for a cashier on adisplay screen.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system for a checkout station according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a POSsystem 90 may include a processor 92 that is communicatively connectedto a barcode scanner 54 (including a single optic scanner, a bi-opticscanner, imager, and/or a handheld scanner), display screen 56, andcredit/debit reader 66 as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B. Further, theprocessor 92 may be connected to a database 94 via a local area network(LAN), where data relating to inventory may be stored. Additionally,processor 92 may have access to a wide area network (WAN) through whichthe processor 92 may be connected to banks 96 and credit card issuers 98so that a customer may receive onsite approval of the transaction.

In the event of a customer checkout, the customer may bring themerchandise that he intends to purchase to a checkout station. Eachmerchandise may have already been associated with a barcode. Forexample, the barcode may be printed on a label that is attached to themerchandise. Additionally, the customer may have store-issued membershipcard (for member-only club stores) or discount card which may alsoinclude barcode identifications to associate the customer to a customeraccount. Finally, the customer may have coupons that may also includebarcodes to apply discounts to the sale transaction. The cashier (incashier-assisted mode) or the customer (in the self-checkout mode) maystart the transaction by scanning the membership card or the discountcard to establish the customer's identification and associate the samewith an existing account stored in database 94. Subsequently, thecashier/customer may scan each merchandise to be purchased by thecustomer. Since the barcode scanner 54 is oriented toward the operator,a barcode may be captured conveniently. The captured barcode may betransmitted to the processor 92 which may be configured to record themerchandise corresponding to the barcode in a list as an item to bechecked out. After the cashier/customer scans all of the items of thecustomer, the cashier/customer may scan customer's coupons for furtherdiscounts towards the final purchase price. After counting for all itemsand discounts for a final purchase price, the customer may pay for thepurchase with cash or cash equivalents such as a debit/credit cardthrough the debit/credit reader 66. The POS system 90 may complete thetransaction by issuing a receipt to the customer and accounting thechecked-out merchandise in the inventory database.

Those skilled in the art may appreciate from the foregoing descriptionthat the present invention may be implemented in a variety of forms, andthat the various embodiments may be implemented alone or in combination.Therefore, while the embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scopeof the embodiments and/or methods of the present invention should not beso limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilledpractitioner upon a study of the drawings, and specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A checkout station, comprising: a checkoutstation platform; a barcode scanner; a display moveable between a firstposition facing a first direction and a second position facing a seconddirection; and a processor coupled to the barcode scanner and thedisplay, wherein when the display is at the first position, the displayis directed in the first direction and functions as the cashier display,and the processor executes a point of sale (POS) application in acashier assisted checkout mode such that the checkout station isconfigured for cashier-assisted checkouts, and wherein when the displayis at the second position, the display is directed in the seconddirection and functions as the customer display, and the processorexecutes a point of sale (POS) application in a self-checkout mode suchthat the checkout station is configured for self-checkouts.
 2. Thecheckout station of claim 1, further comprising a credit/debit cardreader, wherein the credit/debit card reader is attached to a side ofthe display.
 3. The checkout station of claim 1, further comprising ahandheld barcode scanner, wherein the handheld barcode scannerdetachably sits on a cradle that is attached to a side of the display.4. The checkout station of claim 1, wherein the display includes a touchscreen.
 5. The checkout station of claim 1, wherein the first positionand the second position are substantially 180 degrees apart.
 6. Thecheckout station of claim 1, further comprising a switch for switchingto a cashier-assisted checkout mode if the display is in the firstposition and to a self-checkout mode if the display is in the secondposition.
 7. The checkout station of claim 1, wherein the barcodescanner is one of an optic scanner, a bi-optic scanner, and animage-based scanner.
 8. The checkout station of claim 1, furthercomprising: an electronic sign separate from the display; and whereinthe processor is programmed to send a signal to control the electronicsign to indicate that the checkout station is operating in acashier-assisted checkout mode when the display is in the firstposition, and programmed to send a signal to control the electronic signto indicate that the checkout station is operating in a self-checkoutmode when the display is in the second position.
 9. The checkout stationof claim 1 wherein the display comprises a single display screen usedwhen the checkout station is configured for cashier-assisted checkoutsand configured for self-checkouts.
 10. The checkout station of claim 1,further comprising a turntable moveable relative to the checkout stationplatform, wherein the display is fixedly attached to the turntable. 11.The checkout station of claim 10, wherein the turntable rotates within arange of 180 degrees.
 12. The checkout station of claim 10 wherein nofurther movement of the display relative to the rotation of theturntable is needed to orient the display for use with the checkoutstation.
 13. The checkout station of claim 10 wherein only one rotationof the turntable positions the barcode scanner and the display in theproper orientation whether the checkout station is configured forcashier-assisted checkouts and configured for self-checkouts.
 14. Thecheckout station of claim 10 wherein the display is non-rotatablyattached to the turntable.
 15. A checkout system, comprising: a checkoutstation platform; a display coupled to the checkout station platform andmoveable between a first position facing a first direction and a secondposition facing a second direction, wherein the display is directed inthe first direction with respect to the first position and movesrelative to the checkout station platform to be directed in the seconddirection with respect to the second position, and wherein when thedisplay is at the first position, the display is directed in the firstdirection and functions as the cashier display, and when the display isat the second position, the display is directed in the second directionand functions as the customer display; an electronic sign separate fromthe display; and a processor programmed to; execute a point-of-sale(POS) application in a cashier-assisted checkout mode, display a firstinterface for the cashier-assisted checkout mode on the display, andsend a signal to control the electronic sign to indicate that thecheckout system is operating in the cashier-assisted checkout mode whenthe display is in the first position, and execute the POS application ina self-checkout mode, display a second interface for the self-checkoutmode on the display, and send a signal to control the electronic sign toindicate that the checkout system is operating in the self-checkout modewhen the display is in the second position.
 16. The checkout system ofclaim 15, wherein the checkout system runs in the cashier-assistedcheckout mode if the display is at the first position and in theself-checkout mode if the display is at the second position.
 17. Thecheckout system of claim 15, further comprising a credit/debit cardreader, wherein the credit/debit card reader is attached to a side ofthe display.
 18. The checkout system of claim 15, further comprising ahandheld barcode scanner, wherein the handheld barcode scannerdetachably sits on a cradle that is attached to a side of the display.19. The checkout system of claim 15, further comprising a switch forswitching to the cashier-assisted checkout mode if the display is in thefirst position and to the self-checkout mode if the display is in thesecond position.
 20. The checkout system of claim 15, further comprisinga barcode scanner.
 21. The checkout system of claim 15, furthercomprising a turntable moveable relative to the checkout stationplatform, wherein the display is fixedly attached to the turntable. 22.The checkout system of claim 21, wherein the turntable rotates within arange of 180 degrees.
 23. The checkout system of claim 21, furthercomprising: a barcode scanner situated in an opening of the turntable,wherein the turntable is mounted to the checkout station platform.